Around The NBA: 2019-20 RESTART

[dice]

agreed. it was a foolish gamble on cuban's part. signed KP to a big 5 year deal after luka's impressive rookie season. should have known that luka is a talent that you build smartly around rather than take risky, expensive shots in the dark with. could cost the mavs a title or two

Well the contract was a foregone conclusion because he didn't have a choice. When he made that deal it was with the intent to go all in.

i tend to agree, but a wise GM wouldn't have made the trade to begin with, and would have reconsidered once he realized what he had on his hands w/ luka

But like I said, even if KP isn't going to work out as they thought, they will probably find someone else before that contract expires.

i'm sure they'd be able to pass him off if he's merely not playing to the level they hope, but if it's obvious 2 years from now that injuries are preventing him from consistently contributing, they may be stuck with him for 2 years beyond that

[TheStig]

agreed. it was a foolish gamble on cuban's part. signed KP to a big 5 year deal after luka's impressive rookie season. should have known that luka is a talent that you build smartly around rather than take risky, expensive shots in the dark with. could cost the mavs a title or two

Well the contract was a foregone conclusion because he didn't have a choice. When he made that deal it was with the intent to go all in.

i tend to agree, but a wise GM wouldn't have made the trade to begin with, and would have reconsidered once he realized what he had on his hands w/ luka

But like I said, even if KP isn't going to work out as they thought, they will probably find someone else before that contract expires.

i'm sure they'd be able to pass him off if he's merely not playing to the level they hope, but if it's obvious 2 years from now that injuries are preventing him from consistently contributing, they may be stuck with him for 2 years beyond that

Luka is absolutely great. But I think some are underestimating having an agile, spread the floor, athletic defensive stud to pair him with helps. This is the same roster as last year and improved greatly behind Luka's improvement and KP's presence on both ends. It's also his first year back from an ACL. So he will get better next year as well.

I have no issue with that deal. They also got Tim Hardaway JR who has been good for them. And KP's max was coming off a rookie deal, it's not like it was a supermax or 7 year max.

[MrFortune3]

The Mavs already tried the "let's clear cap space to attract FA's" route. They wanted a solid player with potential in KP and to lock him in for the foreseeable future.
Their FO is good at finding ways to surround their players with talent. I doubt they will regret the deal with KP.

[MrFortune3]

I'm curious what Orlando does from here. Are they sticking with the current core which seems to be Vucevic/Fournier with Vuc turning 30 nex season, or go with the young guys Isaac / Bamba / Fultz?

I don't know, but they've really, really, really sucked. What an epitome of tread-milling. 8 seasons of sub-500 and 1 year at 42-40. Zero franchise players. Two highest drafted prospects are perpetually injured.

I like Vuc. Like I've said, I'd trade for him if a low-ball could get it done, but his bubble performance was too solid to bother.

They amazingly have one of the highest pay-rolls next year. IMO they should move on from Gordon, and trade Vuc to the highest bidder. Other than that, they're pretty athletic which is a bright point.

Betsy Devoes is a part-owner.

The Magic keep taking the same positions over and over again and they lack roster balance. You have Vucevic, Gordon, Isaac, Bamba. You also have Aminu and you just drafted Okeke. Plus you also have Birch logging solid minutes.
At some point you have to balance the roster out with wing players and guards who can initiate the offense.

This is like when the Sixers and Hornets kept taking bigs and not balancing things out. The BPA can't be the same position every time.

[sco]

I'm curious what Orlando does from here. Are they sticking with the current core which seems to be Vucevic/Fournier with Vuc turning 30 nex season, or go with the young guys Isaac / Bamba / Fultz?

I don't know, but they've really, really, really sucked. What an epitome of tread-milling. 8 seasons of sub-500 and 1 year at 42-40. Zero franchise players. Two highest drafted prospects are perpetually injured.

I like Vuc. Like I've said, I'd trade for him if a low-ball could get it done, but his bubble performance was too solid to bother.

They amazingly have one of the highest pay-rolls next year. IMO they should move on from Gordon, and trade Vuc to the highest bidder. Other than that, they're pretty athletic which is a bright point.

Betsy Devoes is a part-owner.

The Magic keep taking the same positions over and over again and they lack roster balance. You have Vucevic, Gordon, Isaac, Bamba. You also have Aminu and you just drafted Okeke. Plus you also have Birch logging solid minutes.
At some point you have to balance the roster out with wing players and guards who can initiate the offense.

This is like when the Sixers and Hornets kept taking bigs and not balancing things out. The BPA can't be the same position every time.

To be fair Isaac was super impressive this year, but he's another guy who just can't stay healthy enough to prove his worth. He's a guy who could have made the Bucks series a series. I do think they should trade either Vuc or Bamba this offseason while they have maximum value.

[MrFortune3]

I don't know, but they've really, really, really sucked. What an epitome of tread-milling. 8 seasons of sub-500 and 1 year at 42-40. Zero franchise players. Two highest drafted prospects are perpetually injured.

I like Vuc. Like I've said, I'd trade for him if a low-ball could get it done, but his bubble performance was too solid to bother.

They amazingly have one of the highest pay-rolls next year. IMO they should move on from Gordon, and trade Vuc to the highest bidder. Other than that, they're pretty athletic which is a bright point.

Betsy Devoes is a part-owner.

The Magic keep taking the same positions over and over again and they lack roster balance. You have Vucevic, Gordon, Isaac, Bamba. You also have Aminu and you just drafted Okeke. Plus you also have Birch logging solid minutes.
At some point you have to balance the roster out with wing players and guards who can initiate the offense.

This is like when the Sixers and Hornets kept taking bigs and not balancing things out. The BPA can't be the same position every time.

To be fair Isaac was super impressive this year, but he's another guy who just can't stay healthy enough to prove his worth. He's a guy who could have made the Bucks series a series. I do think they should trade either Vuc or Bamba this offseason while they have maximum value.

I don’t want to talk about Isaac. I’m still to this day pissed that he went right before us. I was obsessed with him being a Bull during that draft class.

[Dresden]

I don't know, but they've really, really, really sucked. What an epitome of tread-milling. 8 seasons of sub-500 and 1 year at 42-40. Zero franchise players. Two highest drafted prospects are perpetually injured.

I like Vuc. Like I've said, I'd trade for him if a low-ball could get it done, but his bubble performance was too solid to bother.

They amazingly have one of the highest pay-rolls next year. IMO they should move on from Gordon, and trade Vuc to the highest bidder. Other than that, they're pretty athletic which is a bright point.

Betsy Devoes is a part-owner.

The Magic keep taking the same positions over and over again and they lack roster balance. You have Vucevic, Gordon, Isaac, Bamba. You also have Aminu and you just drafted Okeke. Plus you also have Birch logging solid minutes.
At some point you have to balance the roster out with wing players and guards who can initiate the offense.

This is like when the Sixers and Hornets kept taking bigs and not balancing things out. The BPA can't be the same position every time.

To be fair Isaac was super impressive this year, but he's another guy who just can't stay healthy enough to prove his worth. He's a guy who could have made the Bucks series a series. I do think they should trade either Vuc or Bamba this offseason while they have maximum value.

What value does Bamba have? He's a complete bust.

[sco]

The Magic keep taking the same positions over and over again and they lack roster balance. You have Vucevic, Gordon, Isaac, Bamba. You also have Aminu and you just drafted Okeke. Plus you also have Birch logging solid minutes.
At some point you have to balance the roster out with wing players and guards who can initiate the offense.

This is like when the Sixers and Hornets kept taking bigs and not balancing things out. The BPA can't be the same position every time.

To be fair Isaac was super impressive this year, but he's another guy who just can't stay healthy enough to prove his worth. He's a guy who could have made the Bucks series a series. I do think they should trade either Vuc or Bamba this offseason while they have maximum value.

What value does Bamba have? He's a complete bust.

I think you could get something decent for him - probably a early teen pick this draft or a guy like Lauri.

[Chi town]

Bamba literally has no value. Maybe a late 2nd rounder. He’s been hurt too much.

Isaac has real value but no one will trade for him until he recovers and shows out again.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Its crazy how fandom is concerning Pascal. Toronto has been killing him since the playoffs started. They are probably feeling like he is trash etc. Us here would probably trade half our team for someone like Pascal. Funny how fandom works.

[Chi town]

Stevens is a genius. Love how he gets the Celtics to play. Shows how important IQ is.

Notice how much Tatum does in the midrange. Take that out of his game and he’s not nearly as effective.

[MrSparkle]

Its crazy how fandom is concerning Pascal. Toronto has been killing him since the playoffs started. They are probably feeling like he is trash etc. Us here would probably trade half our team for someone like Pascal. Funny it fandom works.

Yeah. But all in all, a stark reminder that playoff games are won with premier perimeter players and not post guys. Pascal has perimeter skills but they lose efficiency and effectiveness against playoff defense/traps.

Still though it's game 1, and it's also Pascal's first post-season as the go-to man. I agree, I'd trade a farm for him, or Zach + Lauri.

[Andi Obst]

Notice how much Tatum does in the midrange. Take that out of his game and he’s not nearly as effective.

His midrange game certainly is a weapon, but to become the offensive player he is now he still needed to significantly increase his 3-point and his free throw rate (which still could be higher).

I definitely didn't expect him to become the player he is, especially defensively. Great player.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I would say this game is more flukish for the Celtics. They have hit a crazy number of 3s at a high percentage. Heck even Marcus Smart has hit 5 of 9 from 3.

On top of that Toronto has shot its worst by far. I expect it to be a more realistic game for game 2

[Andi Obst]

Boston is just such a deep team, even without Hayward. They have multiple guys who create for themselves and extremely good role players on both ends. I just love their roster construction.

For the Raptors, they really need to get more creative on offense. Siakam post ups are probably not winning you this series.

[TheSuzerain]

Boston is just such a deep team, even without Hayward. They have multiple guys who create for themselves and extremely good role players on both ends. I just love their roster construction.

For the Raptors, they really need to get more creative on offense. Siakam post ups are probably not winning you this series.

Yeah everyone was focusing on the Philly meltdown last series.

But the other side of that coin is that the Celtics looked like a great team. They don't have a super-star talent, but the roster is phenomenal aside from that.

[MrSparkle]

I would say this game is more flukish for the Celtics. They have hit a crazy number of 3s at a high percentage. Heck even Marcus Smart has hit 5 of 9 from 3.

On top of that Toronto has shot its worst by far. I expect it to be a more realistic game for game 2

I do expect a long series, but this basically is Boston's game. Smart is getting those 3P looks as the 4th guy, with even Theis providing spacing. Of course he'll miss more as the series goes, but more or less, him and Brown aren't elite 3P shooters but they provide a lot with or without that ball, and the rest of the team shoots well.

The fluke is on Toronto's end (kind of). FVV shot 3-16, along with Pascal's terrible game. Pascal might be due to the difficult small-ball match-up, but FVV can definitely shoot the ball a lot better. He's a guy who gets hot and cold though; last year he only really came alive by the end of the ECFs. His first 2 series and a half were completely miserable. This regular season was his longest stretch of consistency. Funny how 1 year can entirely change our perception.

I think I take Boston in 6. Toronto's got more depth - Boston can't afford any more injuries to their starters. But if this Boston's starting-5 stays healthy, they have the basketball edge.

But I've been saying all year; getting Kemba and letting ole Horford walk on a max was in no way a step back for Boston. This is a star-studded team. They've got the best starting-5 in the East by a landslide, and that's even after Hayward's injury. 3 two-way all-stars and 2 strong role-players, and chemistry.

[Andi Obst]

Theis' development into what is basically excactly the type of center good teams would want (skill-wise as well as salary-wise because overpaying centers is stupid) is another thing I did absolutely not see coming when he was still in Germany. He's just so much better as a quick decision-maker than he used to be. Having a real impact on both ends. Really nice to see.

[PrimzyBulls81]

Marcus Morris you **** piece of **** mother ****! If NBA doesnt react to this, Im done!

[Chi town]

Its crazy how fandom is concerning Pascal. Toronto has been killing him since the playoffs started. They are probably feeling like he is trash etc. Us here would probably trade half our team for someone like Pascal. Funny it fandom works.

Yeah. But all in all, a stark reminder that playoff games are won with premier perimeter players and not post guys. Pascal has perimeter skills but they lose efficiency and effectiveness against playoff defense/traps.

Still though it's game 1, and it's also Pascal's first post-season as the go-to man. I agree, I'd trade a farm for him, or Zach + Lauri.

Exactly. If you can’t create for yourself or others you just aren’t that valuable.